Lancaster staple. Love coming here for a cheesesteak and fries when I'm back visiting home.

Not the first time this establishment failed inspection: Captain Gus' Steak Shop, 602 W. Orange St., Lancaster, April 30. Fail. Thoroughly deep clean entire facility including floors, walls and ceilings. read more

The large cheesesteak sandwiches are soo good. We enjoyed them. The service was top notch for a sandwich shop. The counter area was nostalgic. read more

service awful guy yelling at the younger guy the whole time took forever to be acknowledged all the food still cold cheese not even melted trash don't go there read more

Food is fresh and cheesesteak was good. Friendly staff, worth checking out if you like the dive feel and supporting local. read more

See all

Been coming here for 40 years. Great subs with great service in a friendly atmosphere

My brother-in-law and I used to visit this place every time I would visit him here and Lancaster. This time was a real disappointment. We walked in and saw the floors were filthy the counters were not clean behind the counters had trash on the floor and on the shelves and the whole place just looked dirty and unkept. The steak sandwich that I had remembered had changed and it was frozen beef from a box onto the grill chopped up and served on a great bun but the sauce was different than I remembered. The meat was just not up to par any longer and the taste was bland at best. We were disappointed with our $12 steak sandwich. read more

Several reviews mention the lack of cleanliness. Now I'm not saying there hasn't been a dip in cleanliness standards since the captain helmed this ship, but they've been cooking greasy stuff here for decades and its never seen a remodel, so yes, the walls are a bit yellow, and yes, there are dirty random rubber containers, so if you want john j Jeffries and be able to eat off the floor, drive 3 minutes north. The clientele hasn't aged or changed a bit. The dudes next to us were hoping rancid and drop kick open up for guns n roses. The food is average dive stuff. The cheese steak is not real flavorful and the buns get soggy but hey, this is still one of the best steaks in lancaster. And if you've been around for 48 years, you must be doing something right. read more

See all

I had a great time and great food at Gus's (my first time there). First - I rode my bike there and arrived early. Nick, without hesitation, let me bring my (fairly expensive) bike inside the store for safekeeping which was much appreciated. Second - I got there around 9 am before the grill opened, but that didn't stop him from firing it early and getting me a deliciously prepared cheese steak with sauce, onions and mushrooms. I gobbled that down like no tomorrow. Nick is very customer oriented....we talked about values and how everyone should treat others as we would want to be treated. He (and Joey - the real Commander-in-Chief lol) are great guys - coupled with great food - no wonder they have been in business so long. I can't wait to bring my friends and go back for another sandwich! read more

Captain Gus's Steak Shop - a bicycle parked in front of the counter - Pizza Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

This place is like stepping back in time. To be honest the cheese steaks aren't the best I've had. But they'll do to satisfy that cheese steak craving. I like coming here because it feels like you're going back 30 years. Simple menu of cheese steaks, burgers and fries all cooked fresh to order. Prices are reasonable and staff is friendly enough. If you want to take it to go, call ahead because they can be a bit slow. read more

My favorite steak house without a doubt. Great food. Affordable and very friendly. Happy to have bee there my first time on their 50th anniversary. Here's to 50 more years! read more

Captain Gus's Steak Shop - 1st time here and it's their 50th anniversary, The food tastes great. Definitely a warm family place to eat. To 50 MORE years! - Pizza Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

We LOVE this spot!! Especially the fries, they are awesome. They are home cut fries, still with the skin on. Yum!! I call ahead my order and it is always there for pickup when they say it will be. Food is always hot and delicious. read more

I lived in Lancaster 30 years ago and loved Captain Gus's cheese steaks then (and their hamburger subs and fish sandwiches). I no longer live in Lancaster, but when I go back to visit I always go back to Captain Gus's for lunch. Their food is as good now as it ever was! In fact, it is so good that I get extra food to take home to Virginia with me. Apparently, I am not the only one that does this because they pack everything up separately for people like me so that the steak sandwiches don't get soggy on the trip home. They even put ice in my cooler for me! The family and the staff obviously take great pride in their shop and in their food. There is now lots of great places to eat in Lancaster City, and Captain Gus's is still one of my favorites--I have yet to find a better cheese steak, and trust me, I have tried! read more

I've always rolled my eyes when people say, "Oh you have to go to Philly to get a REAL cheesesteak," or, "Aw man, you gotta go to NYC to taste REAL bagels". C'mon people, it's not about GEOGRAPHY, it's about INGREDIENTS. I'm a chef, I know. It's cheesesteak, not rocket science. Once you know the basics, the rest is really all about personal preference (kind of cheese, kind of bread, sauce or no sauce, etc.) ANYWAY, that being said, Captain Gus's Cheese Steaks ARE GOOD. This place has been operating for over 41 years...so you KNOW they're doing something right. I recommend getting the fish because this shop is first and foremost owned by a legendary fisherman. Go to the shop, and he'll be there, Captain Gus, himself...and I dare you to resist his charm. Really, I can say with full confidence that you'll like this guy. read more

Wanted to like it so bad with me living in the area. Fries are subpar, pleaseeeee ppl, stop hyping the fries up. Philly is....different but not that bad. I honestly don't even know what I'd change about them. read more

Not much to look at, parking can be tight, but.... one of the better cheese steaks around. Their well known for them, and they deserve it. My only complaint, one is not enough, two is too much. Wish they were a little bigger. read more

Nobody is lying when they say this place has the best cheesesteaks in Lancaster. Get it with sauce and onions, but if you don't want the tips of your sub soggy, move them away from where the sauce collects in the center of the basket. They have pinball if you're trying to dispose of some change, and there are newspaper clipping and photos all around the restaurant. Honestly, if you come here by yourself, you could keep occupied for twenty minutes just reading all of the articles under the glass panes and on the walls. Captain Gus is still around, but he's getting older. He still sometimes patrols the tables and talks and does magic tricks. I recommend getting to know some of the staff if you're planning on returning, as they're all a friendly crew. read more

It's hard for me to give this place 5 stars... I've been going to Gus' since I can remember and have only been back a few times since Gus passed.. while I am glad to see it hasn't changed since his passing I had secretly hoped Nick would've cleaned it up a bit. Wipe down the walls, dust the fish off, ya know tidy up- paint the bathrooms or at least clean them. I was pleasantly surprised that the fries hadn't changed and they are still hand cut and fresh but the cheesesteak was less than I remembered and left me wondering why I was so excited for this visit to Lancaster and an average cheesesteak. Gotta love the history though- and the fries- and for that 3 stars.. read more

Captain Gus's Steak Shop - Cheesesteak w/ onions and sauce and fries - Pizza Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

See all

I have been to Capt. Gus's twice. Once, for their "famous" cheesesteaks and second for a burger and fries. Inside, the staff greeted us as we sat at the counter after I looked for a spot that didn't have soda spilled on the counter. As I look down I hear a crunching and it was my foot in a pile of tortilla chips. Should I tell you the part about the whole place smelling like cat piss ? Anyway.... The first visit was last winter and I got a cheesesteak with onions, provolone and sauce. It was just OK, a few minute steaks on a stale bun. The price was decent at $7 for a large cheesesteak but I went in with high expectations. Now onto the burger and fries. The bun and LTO was great. The burger was dry and overlooked and had a chemical taste from the grill cleaner. The cupful of cheese fries was soggy and molded into a putty like substance. I'm not saying don't go here but if you are expecting a great cheesesteak then just go to Weis market and buy some steak 'ums and a nice roll. read more

Have been a 40 plus year patron of Captain Gus's in Lancaster. Was very disappointed to see staff wearing sanitation gloves without changing them. Seen dude open door, clean counter server customers then grab a handgun of French fry's to drop into the fryer. In fact no staff member change gloves during my 45 minute visit. Such a shame I have to give up one of my families favorite spots because the staff doesn't change their gloves after touching everything in the shop. More & more folks think a pair of sanitary gloves is to protect there hands instead of protecting their customers from getting contaminated food. read more

This place is really good. The flavor is different than cheesesteaks in other cities but it stands out. Delicious. My girlfriend's grandmother very much enjoyed them and the food contributed to our good time. Thank you. read more

What place in 2012 isn't ready to accept credit cards? I know the fees are ridiculous, but that's why everyone else raises prices about 50 cents to a dollar these days. Beyond the ridiculousness of having an ATM nearby charging $1.75 minimum for it to talk to you so you can pull out a $20, you have to deal with steak-ums meat slapped on the most half-assed buns in the world... Alfred and Sam's. These rolls are coveted among people who don't know any better. They get so soggy and lifeless if you don't consume them right away, so forget about take out. For a better sandwich in the area go anywhere that at least serves your steak sandwich with Amoroso rolls. read more

I had been away in the Navy for six years and I hadn't visited the steak shop in the few times I visited home until now! I got the large steak sandwich with cheese and mushrooms. My total about $10 and I don't think it was worth it. To start, the warmth and welcome I remember six years ago wasn't there. Everyone seemed somber and moody and it was not appealing. My only item of food ordered was not what I remember as the simple and tasty steak sandwich I grew up with! My steak was inundated with dilapidated oregano. The amount of the herbs in the cheap meat reminded me of ancient marketplaces where they overspiced the rancid meat that had spoiled under the hot sun. My cheese was not melted for the most part and my mushrooms were cold and wet, like they had been dumped directly from the can onto my sandwich. This was further eluded toward when the bottom of my sandwich was saturated and soggy with water. Usually this is where the oil from the meat rests but this was clearly not oil. It was also cold. I will return for the sake of nostalgia but I'm not happy about it. read more

I visit my daughter every so often and I always pass this place when I go, so on a recent visit I decided to get a couple cheesesteaks to go. I got a plain cheesesteak with provolone and a cheesesteak with onions, mushrooms, peppers and sauce. The first clue was that when they were handed to me they felt awfully light. When I returned home and opened them, I had to get a magnifying glass to find the meat. The long rolls shrank up and were very thin. I'm from the Philly suburbs, and take my word for it, these were not very good. I will not return here. read more

Cap'n Gus is an institution here. They serve reasonably-priced sandwiches made to order, and this is part of what makes Lancaster a good place to live, in my opinion. My advice would be to stick to sandwiches that are cooked, and stay away from cold cuts. I got a spoiled turkey sub there. They replaced it -- with something cooked. The cheesesteaks are best with extra meat, and the cheeseburger subs are very good too. Matt read more

My favorite place to get a cheese steak since I was little. The people are always friendly and the food is always hot & fresh.

4 stars for nostalgia reasons. I remember coming here with my grammy back when I lived in cabbage hill as a kid. Reasonably, the steaks are a solid 3 stars. Its a Lancaster cheesesteak, but a decent one. Atmosphere feels like home to me. read more

Went for the cheesesteak, came out feeling disappointed. 1. The place is very dirty, Floors, tables, pictures on the wall 2. Cheesesteak was average, fries were very good. 3. Overpriced for what you (don't) get I'm sure there are much better options in the city to try; I would recommend a pass here read more

My favorite and a lancaster staple of family run restaurant 100% satisfaction past 20 years read more

Captain Gus's Steak Shop - Two of theese bad boys - Pizza Near Me - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Overrated! A Lancaster landmark? Maybe 20 years ago. Now it's just gross and run down. The hot sandwiches are soggy mush. The floors are dirty and the staff they have hanging on the walls has an inch of dust on it. And why are all the women making the sandwiches missing teeth? Don't eat here. And good luck with parking... read more

Nice people, maybe, but if the crap they put out in that dilapidated place is the best cheesesteak in Lancaster, then God help you all. First of all it's steakums with some chopped hamburger thrown in for good measure. Just when you think that people couldn't have any less sense, people actually have the nerve to compliment the food at this place. If you grew up across the street and have been eatin' it for 50 years or if you're so bourgeois that you wouldn't know the difference between steakum and cheap sirloin, then I understand. But, if you've ever actually had a steak at somewhere better than Old Country Buffet, then you should know better. read more

Wow place has went down hill big time ... 20yrs ago was a good ch steak now make at home wit steak um an unmelted slices cheese got same thing ... When ol man put his heart into place much better .. Don't waste ya time read more

This place is overrated... Nothing special about the cheesesteak at all. The cheese wasn't even melted a little. Barely any steak on it.

Wow, this is the most overrated restaurant ive seen for a while. Just because its been there a long time and the decor is cool does not make it delicious or fresh. Its not fresh because the meat is the exact same stuff you get in "Steak Ums" from the store. The fries are dry and frozen. You would get a better cheese steak from any pizzaria in Lancaster. PEople are rude too read more

Yes please. This place is great...a Lancaster treasure! Best cheesesteaks in town, hands down, and one of they few places I know of with a regularly changed pinball machine. The fries are also very good...screw going to Philly for a steak. Pat and Geno can't hold a candle to Gus. I do miss all the fishing poles that decorated the place for years, but I'll be honest...I don't go here every time I come back to Lancaster for the ambiance. read more

Always good and inexpensive to eat here. I am not just saying that because I am good friends with the owners. You will not be dissapointed if you come to eat here and you will get your moneys worth for sure. All the subs are good so pick whichever you want. Everything is always fresh and cut daily. read more

Fishy tuna, I threw it away. Cheesesteaks have barely any meat in them But they taste good. The tables are dirty, as well as the one child seat. As we were finishing up a roach climbed up the wall right beside me. I WILL NEVER GO BACK! Not the same since the Capn' passed. read more

I heard this place has the best cheesesteak in town but almost didn't find out. I walked in and was so grossed out by the floor, I almost didn't stay. No safety rating in sight, but staff seemed to be following good procedures. I ordered cheesesteak and fries and sat with my clothes pull around me, trying to not touch the table. Food was great but I'll not walk in there again. I might have to wash my shoes off before I walk in my house. It's a shame its so, so dirty and run down. I would visit often if it were clean. read more

Mmmm!!! This place has the best cheeseburger subs! The cheesesteaks are delicious, too, but I favor the cheeseburger subs. The fries are good, not the best I've ever had, but tasty. The parking can be tight and the decor is a little bland but better now than it was a few years ago when fishing rods (and most likely dust and dirt and all kinds of creepy crawlies hung from the ceiling). There are all kinds of pictures and newspaper articles and other bits of Gus's history under the glass on the tables so there's plenty to keep you occupied while you're waiting for your food to arrive. Not that it'll take too long. The service is quick and the staff is friendly. I'll definitely be back! read more

Decent neighborhood cheesesteak shop. Friendly staff. Good value. Subs could be a little thicker. read more

See all